7 Best 1080P Drones

It’s true, 4K is becoming the new standard in high-quality camera drones. You may think it makes perfect sense to opt for 4K resolution over 1080P, but I say not so fast. There are pros and cons for both, and this introduction explains the basic differences. There are 7 mini-reviews here for 1080P drones.

First, let’s take a look at why some pilots prefer 1080p resolution, especially at the amateur level. It’s important to understand 4K to appreciate the benefits of 1080P.

The Real Benefits of 4K

It’s not the purpose of this introduction to get overly technical. However, a little understanding of drone camera resolutions can help you make better buying decisions.

So, how superior is a 4K camera? Well, 4K has 4-times as many pixels when compared to 1080P. That results in finer details, especially at close range. It also means 4K videos are better for cropping. Noise and grain are less evident with 4K, and low light shooting produces better results. A 4K camera can also shoot at 1080P but not the other way around.

Heck, why would anyone choose a 1080P camera over a 4K? Keep reading to find out.

Reasons to Consider 1080P Resolution

There are still many good reasons to choose 1080P camera drones over 4K. It’s older technology and therefore cheaper for one. That alone is enough reason for beginners and folks on a tight budget. The other reasons may surprise you like quicker and easier editing. Smaller file sizes also mean you can record and store more film onto memory cards. And files upload faster to social media as well.

The biggest revelation, though, is in the viewing. Most users can’t tell the difference between the two resolutions on smaller screens. The change in quality is negligible on smartphones, tablets and even laptops. It’s only when you view the footage on larger screens or zoom-in that the higher 4K quality becomes evident. Now you should know if the extra cost of a 4K camera is worth it—for YOU?

Other Quality Issues

The quality of a drone’s aerial photography is not only due to the camera’s resolution. The quality of a lens optics also affects image quality. The primary consideration, though, is stabilization. Drones vibrate, and some are hard to steady in the air during windy conditions. That’s why drone cameras produce better results with a stabilization mechanism. Mechanical 3-axis types are the most effective.

Even a high-end camera with no or ineffective stabilization can produce unsatisfactory results. Drone pilots must fly with more care—and on calm days—with drones that have no or weak stabilization.

About My 1080P Drone Guide

I have come up with 7 exceptional 1080P drones after doing extensive research. There is something here for pilots of all levels and all budgets. These models are the result of real user feedback, the opinions of industry experts, and personal thoughts. The reviews are short, concise, and easy to read. Each piece highlights the standout features of the camera quad along with any cons it may have.

The top three products are Best Budget followed by Best Value and the Top Pick, in that order. The drones under those are in price order starting with the least expensive.

Minus points: Short flight time, long charging time, limited flight range

Reasons to Consider the THiEYE Dr.X Mini

It’s light (85g), easy to store, ultra-portable, and beginner-friendly. That’s excellent news for families. The quad flies safely indoors as well as out, so the fun doesn’t stop on bad weather days.

This quadcopter has a built-in 1080P video camera and produces 12-megapixel stills. The results are impressive considering the low cost of this mini drone. Footage saves to an onboard SD card. Live 720P view on a smartphone screen is possible up to a range of 100 meters. The quad has a 360° shooting mode. And its selfie mode creates those impressive aerial portraits that only a drone can.

There isn’t a mechanical gimbal to support the camera, though. However, the drone does have 6-axis gyro stabilization. The gyro does a reasonable job at steadying flights and video footage. One of the best things about the THiEYE Dr.X Mini is that it’s super easy to fly and comes with two speed modes. Altitude hold, low-battery protection, auto takeoff/landing, and propeller guards add to its appeal.

The Not So Good

Flight time is only 8 minutes. That’s normal for a drone in this category but disappointing nonetheless. The 2 hour charging time is also long considering the short flight duration. Some users complain about the short 50m range too. It’s not far but this is a mini quad, and you don’t want to lose sight of it.

Reasons to Consider the Potensic D80

Robust and reliable brushless motors provide the Potensic D80 with its power. They can drive this bird up to a top speed of almost 25 mph (40 km/h). The quad has a built-in 1080P 5G WiFi camera with real-time transmission up to 300m. There isn’t a gimbal, but a gyro helps to stabilize the drone during flight. The camera can capture smooth video and clear photos even at higher speeds.

Fans of subject tracking will be happy to know the D80 has a Follow Me GPS mode. There’s also a Point of Interest (POI) clockwise flight option, and a Custom Flight Path. Some of the pilot-friendly features are headless mode, 1-button takeoff/landing, and altitude hold. Others include the one-key return function, low power return, and no signal or an out-of-range auto-return.

The Not So Good

Flight time is average at 20 minutes. That wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the terrible 5-hour charging time. Long charging means extra batteries. Alas, the originals can cost more than $50.

Reasons to Consider the DJI Spark

The DJI Spark has a 1/2.3” sensor that can record more details than cheaper 1080p cameras. Its 12MP stills are as sharp and stabilized as the video thanks to a 2-axis mechanical video. There are plenty of unique features to the Spark that makes it stand out from others in its class. The FaceAware feature launches the Spark from the palm of a hand by facial recognition.

One of the favorite features of the DJI Spark is its ActiveTrack. It effectively recognizes sand tracks moving objects of different sizes and shapes. The Spark’s tracking is impressive for a small drone, and it’s reliable and simple to use.

The Not So Good

The short 16-minute flight time is the main letdown of the DJI Spark. The high cost of extra Intelligent Flight Batteries makes the short flight issue worse. The drone doesn’t come with a MicroSD card either. That’s not a major fault, but it is a disappointment considering the price of the drone. The final gripe relates to WiFi connectivity. Some users find the WiFi choppy out in more rural areas.

Reasons to Consider the F100G Ghost

The F100G Ghost has a detachable 1080P action camera that produces satisfactory results. The quad provides new users with an excellent introduction to aerial shooting. It’s also compatible with GoPro HERO 3 or 4 action cameras. That gives pilots the opportunity to shoot at higher resolutions. You don’t need a GoPro to take photos and record video, but the option is there for those who do.

The two speed modes are LOW and HIGH. The adjustable speeds are useful as they let pilots fly at a pace that’s comfortable for them. The Ghost can perform 360° dragonfly flips that look impressive yet are simple to do. The quad also comes with bright LED headlights that allow flying in the dark. Another nice touch is the three black, blue, and white body shells that come with the model.

The Not So Good

Advanced beginners should have no trouble flying Force1’s F100G Ghost. Alas, it’s not the best choice for the raw beginner as it takes a while to master. And the 15-minute flight time is disappointing, but there is a bonus battery included. It’s vital to allow a few minutes for the motors to cool down between battery swaps, though. The final con is that the drone doesn’t have First Person View (FPV) capability.

Tech Specs

Dimensions: 16.7 x 13.1 x 6.1”

Product Weight (no camera): 2.88 oz.

Camera: Detachable 1080p action cam

Stabilizing gimbal: None

Max Flying Time: 15 minutes

Max Range: 1640 ft. (500m)

Battery: 7.4v 1,800mAh LiPo (2)

Charging Time: 120+ minutes

The Pros

Detachable camera

GoPro-ready

Powerful brushless motors

Two speed modes, Low/High

Bonus battery

360-degree flips

LED headlights

Three colored shells

The Cons

Takes some mastering

Low average flight time

No GPS

5. Hubsan H501S X4 FPV Quad W/ 1080p Camera

This is the Hubsan H501S X4, another 1080P First Person View FPV camera quadcopter. It’s a feature-rich drone too. The X4 sports durable brushless motors and a plethora of smart flight features to boot.

Reasons to Consider the Hubsan H501S X4

Hubsan’s H501S X4 has a built-in 1080P HD First Person View FPV camera for capturing stills and vids. The 5,8GHz FPV radio controller (RC) has a bright integral 4.3-inch LCD screen. That means you can view the drones real-time video transmission without a mobile device. The built-in GPS provides pilot-friendly features like the headless mode. A headless mode solves any lost orientation issues.

There’s also the invaluable failsafe mode. The H501S X4 enters its failsafe mode if the connection with the transmitter becomes weak or gets lost. It then automatically returns the quad to its base, thus preventing the dreaded flyaway. Altitude Hold is another welcome feature that stabilizes the quad at a fixed height. And the 20-minute flying time is on the high side of average for a bird in this category.

The Not So Good

There are a lot of complaints—especially for among-time pilots—about the vague user’s guide. Alas, poorly written or translated manuals are a common issue with drones out of China. At least there are YouTube videos to fall back on that are more helpful than written guides anyway. The long 150-minute (2.5 hours) charging time means extra batteries are a must-have.

Reasons to Consider the GAOAG Copter

The GAOAG GPS is an easy-to-fly RC Drone with an altitude hold function. It comes equipped with a built-in 1080P HD 5G WiFi camera that produces decent stills and video. The quad has full app control that gives pilots real-time first-person viewing (FPV) via a mobile screen. The controller has a device clamp to house all regular sized Android and iOS smartphones.

The quads power-efficient brushless motors provide reliable flight performance. They also last longer than the non-brushless alternatives found on some drones. The GAOAG Copter’s built-in GPS provides an instant 1-key return to home. There’s also an auto-return feature for low battery and out-of-range signals. And the Headless mode helps newbie pilots control the craft without knowing its orientation.

The Not So Good

The flight time for the GAOAG camera quadcopter is average at 15 minutes. It’s made worse by the long 2.5 hours charging time. Most users factor at least one extra battery into the cost.

Minus points: Crazy charging time, no prop guards, not too stable in the wind

Reasons to Consider the Holy Stone HS700

Holy Stone’s HS700 has a 5G 1080P FHD detachable camera with a 110° field of view (FOV). Removable cameras are great if you sometimes want to fly only. You can fly further and longer without the extra payload. The best thing about this model, though, is that you can mount GoPro HERO 2/3/4 cameras. The stock 1080P camera is decent, but a GoPro is even better.

It’s an easy and safe app-controlled camera quad to fly and film with at the beginner level. There is the 1-key takeoff and landing, altitude hold, subject tracking, and custom flight paths. And the GPS Auto Return provides valuable failsafe features. The failsafe GPS returns the quad either by the manual 1-key return or automatically. Auto return kicks-in when the power’s low or the drone loses its signal.

The Not So Good

The charging time takes at least 5-hours. It can even take as long as 7 hours depending on the power source. Most people factor extra batteries into the total cost. There are no propellers to protect the fingers from spinning blades or prop damage. It’s why the makers don’t recommend it for pre-teens. The last con is that it’s not very stable in winds. It does fly in windy weather, but it’s harder to handle.

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